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Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys are not working correctly. It is caused by damage to tiny structures within the kidneys called nephrons. In the early stages, chronic kidney disease does not cause symptoms; therefore, most people don’t know they have the condition.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the lower back just below the rib cage. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. The two kidneys filter blood, catch needed substances, return them to the circulation, and dispose of wastes in the urine. If the kidneys don’t filter properly, wastes build up in the blood. The kidneys also maintain the balance of water in the body and release hormones. These hormones keep the bones strong, control blood pressure, and help the body make red blood cells. If your kidneys stop working, your bones may become weak, your blood pressure may increase, and your red blood cell count may decrease.

Stages

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition. Doctors use stages to describe how serious it is. The stage is based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

StageGlomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

1Over 90 mL/min (normal)

260 to 89 mL/min (mild decrease)

330 to 59 mL/min (moderate decrease)

415 to 29 mL/min (severe decrease)

5under 15 mL/min (kidney failure or end-stage renal disease)

Causes

The two most common causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension.

Diabetes
type 1
and
type 2
occur when the body doesn’t process the sugar in the blood well. The amount of sugar in the blood increases. High blood glucose damages the kidneys, the heart, blood vessels, and eyes.

Hypertension
, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when there is high pressure within the arteries of the body. Hypertension damages the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease can also cause hypertension.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.